Young patients benefit from Table’s cycle tour

Eight intrepid cyclists from Northallerton Round Table got on their bikes to raise funds for paediatric services at the town’s Friarage Hospital.

Handover: John Bayley, chairman of Northallerton Round Table, hands over the iPads to grateful patients and staff on the children’s ward at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton

With the funds the team raised from the 118-mile cycle ride, following the ‘Tour de France’ route over two days, they purchased four iPads – which were engraved – and will benefit the young patients and be used for distraction purposes.

Northallerton Round Table president, Simon Wilson, planned and arranged the event which raised over £2,500 – the most ever raised by the group in an individual event.

The group were keen to support a local cause again after last year supporting the Friarage’s £2m scanner appeal. This year they wanted to do something different – although none of them have been back on a bike since the ride over the weekend of 15 September 2015.

John Bayley, chairman of group, said: “The Northallerton Round Table is really pleased to be able to support our fantastic local hospital. Children’s services at the Friarage benefits so many people and we were delighted to be able to support.”

Claire Welford, a member of the children’s community nursing team at the Friarage, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who sponsored the riders and to those who took on the challenge. The team are incredibly grateful and the iPads will benefit so many children as they will be used across the broad spectrum of paediatric services at the hospital.

“The iPads will be used for distraction therapy when children come into the hospital and in the home environment as well as a resource for training parent and carers. We were grateful when we thought we were getting one Ipad but were delighted when we were presented with four. Thank you so much.”